Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-10-28

In the delth OF the venerable Elihu BenJr-
min Washbu. ne il cloSel the career Of an
| tllu trious N ,n5er of q celebrated family;
! that of man wh1 ha been eminent as
| lawyer, stlteimln AMI dip omat and for
many years honore in the service O. his
ST te and his country. Eihu B. Waslburne
was bofnln Livefm ORE, Me-, Sept. g, 1916.
He was the third OF family of seven boys.
In his 18th summer Elihu secured the posi-.
ton printers "1eyll" in the office of the
Clristlln lntel.igelc II. plbiShal at Gardner,
NJ, Alter his term expired he obtained 4
position II the odics of the KenneGec Jour
nal, at Au ,usta. While there he met Fla
nlbll lmln and many other prominent
st4tasmen, and he determined to stu ly the
law. He entered the Cinoriige law school
March, 1882
He was admitted to the bar and determined
to seek a fell in the West. In 1910 be set.
tied at Ga'ena, III. He had arrived at his
destination after the comm 'ncemens Of tho
memorable Harrijol cam1ligu, and being a
strong Wing he delivered Speeches In sup
port of that party. He formed law CO.
partnership, and was successful from the
start In 1874 he was made delegate to the
Wing national convention at Baltimore,
which nominated Henry Clay for President.
be advocated the election OF Clay on the
stump. He was Thought forward in lS4Sas
candidate for Congress. Though unsuccessful
in his first attempt hs was triumphantly
elected in 1882.
In the next congress, which was known as
the anti.Nebraska congress- occurred the
memorable struggle for the speakership
which resulted in the election Of Nathaniel Z.
Banks. For him Mr. Washburne voted 80
times, and was afterWard male chairman OF
the committee on commerce where he dlstin-
guished himself by his fidelity to business
and broad comprehension OF the duties OF
office, Mr.. WashPurne was reelected until
March, 1869, when he resigned to as
Partment under President Grant. On
his fifth election, in 1860, he lie, eived the
largest majority given to any one In that
Congress, and one OF the largest that hal
been won by any representative In the
United st ties, Chosen and rechosen thro ugh
the war. lie camo TO he known as the Father
OF the House, having been longes5 in con.
tlnuou5 service, and as such he adnlinls cred
the speakers oath three times to Mr.. ColfaS
and once tn Mr.. Blaine.
Mr.. Washburne was identified with all the
important work in Congress, and opposed
wasteful grants of the Cubic lands and COM
batted many times the tobbery in the river
and harbor bills, and, beside voting
against extravaganza appropriations for
public buildings, worked against the renew.
ais OF already well remunerated patents.
For his determined efforts looking toward
the financial welfare OF the government, and
bis opposition to jobs of all Kinds, he acquired
the appellation of "Watch do OF the Treas
ury," and came out of Congress, with very
strained relations with the "lobby." When
PRESIDENT Grant announced his first cabinet,
Mr. Washburn's name appeared first on the
LIST as secretary at state. After occupying
the position about O month, he resigned,
partly on account OF his health AMI de ire
for rest. He was soon afterward rendered
the position OF minister to France, which he 40.
cepted. He had besn in Paris but few
months when, almost from a clear sky, came
the thunderLolt Of war; and the terrible
struggle between Franco AMI Prussil with
her German allies precipitated the event.
which were to test the courage and capacity
OF the American minister, and which is q
matter o, story. Upon his action in this
matter the fame OF Mr.. Washburne rests
just before no tillties were be gun he was alb.
his post.
He was asked to undo take the protection Of
the German re idents of Paris. He assumed
this responsibility, and faithfully discharged
1t. All 0 her foreign ministers DIES rte
Paris, bat Mr.. Washburns remained throu RI.
out. and his success induced people of every
nationa ty to apply to him for protection,
and the headquarters of the legation was
regarded "a the only place safe from mo
!estation. The French army met with dc
feat after defeat, and following that clme
gloom, riot, and then tae bloody sic &c OF
Paris and last the horrible rule OF the
commune, but he still rem incl heroic lily at
his post, and the American fl tg we'd Mt the
legation, while those of other nations dSars
peared. He was p actically Prussan mini ter
o. Paris during early year, beside being
guardian Of the Germ IN embassy and being
charged with the protection Of German
interests all that time
E thu WAS tie only member of tho family
who always spelled the family mama Wash
burne, the Others never usi g the last letter
1t was singular coincidence that three OF
tie brothers serve six slcc s3lve years as
bro. her congr assme1, having been Numbers
of the 34.h, 35th and 35tl Congress, but as
representatives of diff rent sja es These
were Elihu, just deceased, representative
from illinois; israel, who SIT for his dstr ct
in Ma'no, an CadwaIiader c., elgctl fr m
Wisconsin. They were always spoke OF az
the "Washburn brothers," and to TX very
active part III our ltion1l e ,islatlou.
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